If you're perfectly happy with your body, thank you very much, and if you've never struggled with the issue of body image or self acceptance - well, you probably won't be particularly interested in reading any further.
But if you've ever obsessed about your weight, or felt dissatisfied with your looks, or wished you could change something about your body - and I suspect, sadly, that many of you can relate to this - then you just might appreciate these musings.
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Given the financial means and the opportunity, would you allow your bullied teen to have plastic surgery to correct a problem?
Several teens bullied because of looks were the focus of NBC News stories recently. Dateline spotlighted four teens who sought plastic surgery to repair problems with various facial features.
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Dear young women of today,This will not be addressed to all of you, but to many of you in society today. Those of you who have been raised like princesses but have failed to also be taught compassion, decency and kindness. It is also addressed to those who think sex is the answer to get any man, having a baby is the way to trap them. You wonder why you are alone or can't find a 'good man', mainly because your idea of a good man and the truth are vast expanses of definition apart....more

The Urban Dictionary has defined 'fat-shaming' as "a term made by obese people to avoid the responsibility to actually take proper care of their body". As an exercise physiologist, nutritionist, and research scientist who studies obesity and one who’s battled the disease all my life, I’m not diametrically opposed to this definition in cases where the term 'fat' isn’t used maliciously....more

I was approached by one of the best fitness, nutrition and competition coaches in the area, Michelle Johnson. Not only is Michelle a genius when it comes to body transformation but she is also a wonderful person. We had four weeks to get me in shape for a Muscle and Fitness Shoot. I never competed before and I would be standing next to three beautiful women that were fitness models, body builders and IFBB Pro Card holders. Needless to say I had to kick my butt in gear. ...more

While listening to Beyonce’s “Pretty Hurts”, it reminded me of a phrase that I often hear people say to young girls.
Don’t speak. Just stand there and be pretty.
People are teaching children that whatever’s in their head is irrelevant. Your role is to just be aesthetically pleasing.
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